Q+A: Tonight (ABC TV Monday 12 June 2023)

Q+A: Tonight airs Monday 12 June 2023 on ABC TV.

After the Reserve Bank delivered the 12th rate hike in just over a year, interest rates reached their highest level in 11 years, causing more pain for households – discussed this week on Q+A.

A “painful squeeze” will be felt by many households, but the bank governor says it’s necessary to control inflation. How much more can average families take? Is the treatment even worse than the ailment?

With the Fair Work Commission’s announcement of a minimum wage increase beginning next month, many people are pointing fingers at the lowest-paid workers as the source of persistently high inflation. However, the OECD claims that excessive corporate profits are to blame. Is an unjust system causing harm to those who are weakest?

Ben Roberts-Smith is Australia’s most decorated living soldier, but the incendiary verdict against him has had lasting consequences. Should the VC winner be forced to return his decoration after being called a murderer and a bully in court? What do his actions on the battlefield imply for groundbreakers at home and in the field? Is the case tarnishing the image of our elite troops?

Meanwhile, lawmakers are back in session for another two weeks just as the government’s “same job, same pay” workplace law changes are shaping up to be 2023’s major industrial relations brawl. As the future housing fund bill nears agreement, new laws are being debated to ensure that labour hire workers are paid the same as employees doing the same job. Is it going to be a rough year for Labour?

Joining Patricia Karvelas on the panel live in Sydney:
Sally McManus, ACTU Secretary
Stephen Jones, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services
Keith Wolahan, Liberal member for Menzies
Thenu Herath, Human Rights Advocate
Michael Ware, Sky News US contributor

Q+A: Tonight airs Monday 12 June 2023 at 9.35pm on ABC TV

Featured Image Credit: ABC TV